Lamborn in 2006 won the ugly, crowded GOP primary to replace retiring Congressman Joel Hefley after a topsy turvy night. Early returns indicated Jeff Crank had won, but voters didn’t realize that absentee voters, usually released first, hadn’t been announced yet.

Lamborn won the six-man field with 27 percent of the vote, followed by Crank with 25 percent and Bentley B. Rayburn with 17 percent. Hefley refused to endorse Lamborn because of what he thought were deceitful attacks on Crank by a group headed by the brother of Lamborn’s campaign manager. Hefley called it “one of the sleaziest, most dishonest campaigns I’ve seen in a long time.”

The 5th district based in El Paso County is as sure a bet for Republicans as the 1st District based in Denver is for Democrats. Lamborn won in November, despite a Democratic wave year.

Two years later, Crank and Rayburn again challenged Lamborn, but he won the primary with 45 percent of the vote.

I’m not really excited about people wanting to buy their way into office. If this guy was serious about politics, he’d work his way up, and build up some kind of voting record. I mean, what does this guy believe in, and how does he plan on proving that (besides empty talk and platitudes)?

I guess he seems to think US Congress is some sort of entry level position, because that’s what he’s treating it as.

I hear Blaha has a lot of business experience and leadership development in his history. I think that is a great asset to bring to government. So many people in politics have made it their job and have lost the true meaning of serving in office. I am personally tired of career politicians and think we need new people and new ideas. I am excited to hear about Blaha’s opinions and what he wants to do in the 5th district….

You’re generalizing. Yes, many members of Congress have lost their way and aren’t listening to the public. But Lamborn has been a good rep, and has a consistent conservative voting record. Blaha brings nothing new to the table, and he won’t be able to overcome any of the other obstacles Lamborn hasn’t been able to get through, like the liberal senate we currently have. The problem is Obama and the Senate, and that’s up to us to fix.

Some bored millionaire with no political experience isn’t going to change anything. And I doubt he knows the military needs of our area. On that Doug has been solid. So really what is the point of this primary?

The point is that Lamborn has been an average representative and has failed to really make his mark in Washington. A couple of terms is enough to know that he will only continue to be average. His voting record has been strong, but we need more that just a good voting record. We need a leader.

Really, what do you want him to do to be more of a leader? How exactly does he make his mark? Get behind the bully pulpit and raise his voice more? That’s good theater, but it doesn’t accomplish anything. Whether he introduces 100 bills, or 2, virtually none of them will go anywhere with this senate. And to “get more done”, he’d have to be more moderate, which would personally bother me.

If blaha is supposedly much more of a leader, I can’t wait to see a thorough explanation of how he expects to accomplish that, especially with NO political or legislative experience. The idea that either Lamborn or Blaha could march into Washington and have everyone start listening to either of them is simply unrealistic. Unfortunately there aren’t enough conservatives there, and those who ARE in leadership like Boehner aren’t very conservative.

I refuse to be so cynical. I think excellent people with strong skill-sets can still make a difference. I have just always felt that Lamborn is in way over his head. Nice guy, good voting record, but very marginalized by his lack of leadership ability. He just isn’t a factor on the national stage. Further, I think two terms is plenty. Time to give somebody else a try.

Doug Lamborn is, depending on who is doing the ranking, one of the 5 most conservative congressman. Anyone else is guaranteed to be more liberal.
Yet, without losing that ranking, he has passed multiple times more legislation in 5 years than Hefley did in 20 years. Why? Because he finds common ground with CO democrats on conservative issues, like the veterans cemetery, and does the hard work to get the bill supported by >50% of the congress and Senate.
He did the hard work to find military units that were funded, but without a home, and get the units assigned to Colorado Springs.
He has taken the bully pulpit. When I travel, I see him quoted nationally on major issues.
There may be louder voices in Washington, but there are very few who get more done. And none who get more done without giving up conservative principles.

“Some bored millionaire with no political experience isn’t going to change anything.”
This is the description and question we should consider in politics. In Colorado, too many Repubs fit the description as they bring nothing to the table for “the people”.

I’m ready for a change, Lamborn and his dirty campaign tactics are exactly what I hate about politics. It’s time for someone with some business acumen as well as a moral compass to take action and get rid of this lazy, entitled representation we have now. Congress approval rating is the lowest in history, why would we keep these people in office when they are ineffective? Instead of stating that “some rich guy” is trying to buy his way into office why don’t you actually listen to what he has to say?

I’ve been to Blaha’s website already, which is pretty sharp, and seen what he has to say and what he stands for. The issue is he doesn’t stand for anything different than Lamborn. If I thought Lamborn wasn’t conservative enough, or wasn’t representing conservatives in el paso county, I’d vote him out. And that seems to be what Blaha suggests which isn’t true. I mean really, he was named most conservative member of Congress. Blaha is running as a Lamborn clone as far as ideology, but he lacks the legislative experience and voting record.
What’s a shame is I like Blaha the same way I like Lamborn. I wish Blaha would move up North and challenge some dems with all of his money so the two of them could work side by side in Congress. That’s what should be going on here. If Blaha is a real conservative and wants to make a difference, he should stand for change by knocking a liberal out of office so conservatives have one more vote in the house. THAT would be real leadership, that would be real change. He should have done that rather than taking shots at someone on his own team.

If both guys are equally conservative – shouldn’t the tie go to the guy that has a demonstrated track record of leadership, job creation and the ability to be a strong voice for both Colorado and our country?

Lamborn has been a meek and mild voice. Great voting record, but not a guy that has made much happen.

The different is that Blaha actually has a brain an a real personality. He might actually have some success in Washington with the Republican house leadership. Doug is quite frankly a do nothing Congressman who occasionally introduces some wackjob piece of legislation that goes nowhere. In the process he embarrasses the leadership and as a result continues after three terms to be an ineffective “back bencher”. Its time for a change.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.